Comparative analysis of Pu-erh and Fuzhuan teas by fully automatic headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and chemometric methods.

Thirteen Pu-erh teas and 13 Fuzhuan teas obtained from two different production areas in China were profiled using fully automatic headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME)/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) coupled with chemometric methods. A total of 93 aroma components were identified in 26 dark teas; among them, methoxyphenolic compounds (31.77%) were the most abundant components in Pu-erh teas, whereas ketone compounds were the most abundant components (25.42%) in Fuzhuan teas. Cluster analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) showed that these two types of dark teas could be clearly distinguished according to their chemical characteristics. This study suggested that the proposed strategy could provide a feasible and rapid technique to differentiate dark teas with similar morphological characteristics from different production areas by their volatile composition and relative content.